“Oh, it’s clear that you don’t think,” she snapped. “Your client is a millionaire. If you want to go on some wild-goose chase that’s not going to lead anywhere but straight back to him, be my guest.He’sgoing to pay for it, though, not the taxpayers of the state of New York. We’re not obligated to run down every stray fact just because you think it might ‘potentially’ lead somewhere. They also didn’t interview your client’s high school friends, or his dentist. So fucking what? None of that’s relevant just because you think itcouldbe. But I’ve got an idea: I’ll subpoena all those journals just in case. Take them right off your hands. That way we can be sure to take our time reading them.”
“And what if this does lead somewhere? What if Amanda’s dad says something incriminating to my investigator?”
“Then you call your fucking investigator to testify!” she shouted, though we both knew damn well that she would make it her mission to undermine said investigator on the stand. She sat back calmly, a hand on each arm of the chair, like it was a throne. “I only agreed to meet with you because I thought that you wanted to grovel for a plea deal, and I was looking forward to saying no. Instead, you come in here asking me to do your fucking job for you?” She shook her head and let out a small dismissive huff. “You want to waste your time interviewing this fucking guy, that’s up to you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got actual work to do.”
“Fine,” I said as I stood. “I disagree, but obviously you have to do what you think is right.”
“Yes,obviously.”
“Though prosecutorial misconduct is reversible error. If thislead pans out, and you deliberately ignored it …” I left the rest to her imagination.
Wendy Wallace glared at me for a moment, then smiled. “I look forward to responding tothatbrief.”
“Thank you for your time,” I said finally before turning for the door. “This has been illuminating.”
“A word of warning,” she called after me. “Woman to woman.”
I paused and turned back.
“Be careful with Paul. He’s charming, but sooner or later he’ll dig out your heart and make you swallow it whole.”
I cocked my head. “Oh, don’t worry,” I said with a smile. “Woman to woman: I’m way too smart to fall for Paul.”
Grand Jury Testimony
TAYLOR PELLSTEIN,
called as a witness the 7th of July and was examined and testified as follows:
EXAMINATION
BY MS. WALLACE:
Q: Good morning, Ms. Pellstein. Thank you for being here.
A: You told me I didn’t have a choice.
Q: You were subpoenaed to testify, that is correct.
A: Are you saying that I do have a choice?
Q: You are legally required to appear as a witness.
A: Because I really like Mr. Grayson. He’s a really good boss, and I really don’t want to lose my job.
Q: You don’t have to worry about that, Ms. Pellstein. The proceedings of the grand jury are secret.
A: So you say.
Q: No, those are the facts, Ms. Pellstein. So the law says.
A: Whatever.
Q: Let’s move on then, and get you out of here as quickly as possible. I onlyhave a couple questions. You work for Mr. Grayson, is that correct?
A: Yes.
Q: In what capacity?
